To keep dogs from getting bored, they need to be kept busy.
With our ideas for games and exercises, a lot of variety is guaranteed.
Appointments, shopping, cooking - our everyday life is so packed with tasks that the dogs are often neglected.
They are full of energy and a thirst for adventure.
If there is enough time, sticks are thrown or the same round of walks is always done.
Incidentally, the run for puppies is particularly important.
It is understandable that your four-legged friend can get bored of it.
If he gets stupid ideas because he is not sufficiently busy, this not only happens to the chagrin of his mistress or master, but also puts a strain on the dog itself.
How much activity does my dog really need?
The optimal load varies from dog to dog.
Especially active breeds like the Golden Retriever, the Doberman or the Australian Shepard need more than just one walk a day.
Older dogs have different needs than younger ones and each dog also has individual preferences.
What all dogs have in common: They enjoy all kinds of play or when we try something new with them.
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If there is insufficient exercise, young dogs in particular will quickly become bored.
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© Elena Helade/Imago
For very large, small and heavy dogs, experts generally recommend several but small laps a day (about 30 minutes per walk).
You should coordinate the exact times individually and depending on the breed and the needs of your dog.
Dogs are always happy about classic types of activity such as obstacle courses (also known as agility) or marker training.
Dog trainer Martin Rütter recommends
two to three hours of activity a day on his homepage
martinruetter.com .
Anything but boredom is welcome.
These seven signs will tell you that your dog is bored.
General restlessness: If the dog no longer comes to rest, this is to be understood as a clear sign of boredom.
If your dog nibbles or licks certain parts of its body, it does so as a distraction from the monotony of its canine life.
The dog barks more and more for no reason: With this tactic, dogs draw the attention of their masters or mistresses when they have had enough of their boredom.
Repetitive Chewing: Bored and underutilized dogs tend to become destructive.
The pent-up energy eventually wants to be released.
When well-behaved dogs start chewing on carpets or shoes, it's high time for a change from the daily routine.
"Circle runner": If dogs suddenly run in circles or chase their own tail, this is also an indication of boredom.
Howling and whining: Dogs also draw attention to themselves by whining when they are bothered by the monotony.
Chasing: If your dog follows you everywhere and never leaves your side, he may be telling you that he wants to be kept busy.
Then it's time for one of the games we've listed below.
Lethargy and listlessness: We humans know the pitfalls of boredom.
If we are permanently bored, at some point the listlessness will spread.
If your dog doesn't feel like doing anything anymore and is no longer interested in activities that he otherwise enjoys, you should definitely get active.
Offer him some variety and he'll quickly recover from his mood.
Tips on how to keep your dog busy
The best way to find out what your furry friend enjoys the most is to try it out.
We have some tips and tricks for activities in everyday life here - adventure and fun for dogs and humans guaranteed.
Use your nose, mental workload, ability to concentrate | leave a scent trail | Dogs love to sniff, smell and track. By dragging strong-smelling treats across the floor when your dog isn't around, you'll create an exciting scent trail for him. Leave the treat as a reward at the end of the trail. Tip: You don't have to touch the floor, the air holds the smell sufficiently. To increase the difficulty, hide the treat under several cups after a while. |
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Use your nose, mental workload, ability to concentrate | Sniffing pile of blankets | Similar to the scent trail, hide the reward in one or more folded or crumpled blankets. With several treats you decide how long the game lasts. |
Use your nose, mental workload, ability to concentrate | Put together a surprise package | Your dog is also happy about presents. Why not wrap delicious treats for him, in different layers if you like, for example in newspaper. Tip: Increase the level of difficulty by using an empty paper towel for the next packet. Practiced dogs are happy about a solid cardboard box filled with scraps of paper. That's what they're busy for now. |
Activity, mental workload | Play hide and seek | Just like children, dogs also love to search for people or objects. First, drop your dog somewhere in the house and then hide as best you can. Then call the dog and wait for it to find you. Give him a treat as a reward. Tip: An ideal activity if you want to keep children and dogs busy at the same time. |
Activity, mental workload | Home help | Especially when you don't have that much time, it is important that your dog is sufficiently occupied. If your dog helps around the house, there will be more time together. Let him bring clothes, get the newspaper, empty the laundry basket or sort things into a basket on command. For example, he learns to tidy up his toys or to put dirty laundry in a basket. |
Hunting instinct, reaction, motor skills, skill, attention | throw treats | You can keep your dog busy with little effort: throw a treat from the sofa or when you go for a walk from time to time for him to catch. This stimulates the natural instincts and the hat stays fit and flexible. Tip: In order not to feed too many treats, just throw crumpled paper or socks, outside, for example, Frisbees are suitable. |
Employment at home or in bad weather
Especially when the weather is bad or when you are at home, your darling needs something meaningful to do.
It doesn't have to be particularly complex or extraordinary - dogs sometimes just enjoy having a great time with their caregivers.
If the ceiling falls on your head and you can't go outside, an indoor course would be a good idea.
If you have enough space at home or a small dog, surprise your dog with a fitness trail.
The obstacles can easily be built from household items.
Books with shelves become obstacles to jumping, set up water bottles to set up a slalom, the hula hoop can be brought out of the basement as a jumping ring.
If your dog enjoys the course, you should pay particular attention to the fact that he can't bump into anything while romping around wildly or slip on the slippery floor.
How do you keep your dog busy?
Vote!
Mind games as employment for dogs
In addition to daily walks, brain games and other small activities are recommended.
If you like tinkering, you can try this intelligence game: treats are placed in a flower palette or a muffin baking container and covered with leftovers such as empty cups, scraps of paper or scraps of fabric.
The dog then sniffs out the treats.
You can find even more exciting animal topics in the free newsletter from Landtiere.de, which you can subscribe to right here.
Rest and rest is just as important as sufficient activity
As the owner, you know your dog best and should decide for yourself how much activity is good for him, what needs he has and how you can best meet them.
It is important that you recognize when your dog is overwhelmed.
With any form of employment, you should remember that dogs need enough rest and relaxation afterwards to remain balanced.
List of rubrics: © Elena Helade/Imago
